The Andover
Mine was well worked, yielding between 200-400k tons of Ore in its lifetime.
The mine was mined for both hematite and magnetite, however many other
minerals were found there, including zinc and copper. The mine was
opened before the revolutionary war, and closed 1863. During its time,
ore was taken to the Andover furnace where it was smelted and used to
supply the army with shot and ordinance.
Walking the
grounds, you can close your eyes
and picture a large
18th century operation. How many men were working, what kind of sounds
were there, where did the workers come from, what kind of lighting did
they use, how did they keep the water out. Just imagine if it were
possible, what it would be like to find
people from that time
and to hear the stories they would have. The Andover mine was large
indeed, the town being named after the mine, not voce versa.
Today the
grounds are morphing back to what they were originally. The exposed
rock surfaces have weathered, every nook and cranny has foliage growing
out of it. The Andover mine slowly hides its secrets
and erases its
memory from the present.
Andover Mine
